Friday, 26th October 2007 (3413 views)

A new rapid meningococcal diagnostic test uses gold nanoparticles, it has emerged.

Developed by Quintain NanoSystems, a vehicle established from Nanotechnology Victoria, a Victorian State Government initiative to assist in the commercialisation of nanotechnology research, the test is said to ultimately allow the detection of the disease in less than fifteen minutes, reports AZoNano - The A-Z of Nanotechnology

Gold nanoparticles are covered with antibodies that attract a protein found on the surface of meningococcal bacteria, causing the gold nanoparticles to cluster together causing a colour change that enables easy detection of the disease.

"We have some very senior people from the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies coming to Brisbane to see just what Australia has to offer – and Quintain’s invention is just what we excel at – clever technology that is world class," Dr Anna Lavelle, chief executive officer of AusBiotech told the news provider.

The announcement of the filing of a worldwide patent was made at AusBiotech's national conference, based in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, a recent article in the Canberra Times suggested that gold nanoparticle research is inspiring a new generation of science students to recognise industry innovation.

 

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